Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
After some stellar performances with the U.S. Men’s National Team, Graham Zusi might have had some teams preparing offers overseas. However, Sporting Kansas City CEO Robb Heineman wasn’t ready to see his star midfielder leave.
Sporting KC announced on Friday morning that Zusi has signed a new contract with the club. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal marks the second straight year Zusi has signed a new deal with the club.
“The club is very happy to have come to an agreement with Graham (Zusi),” said Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes. “He will continue to be an important part of our future and a vital and versatile fixture within our team.”
Zusi has continued to impress for both club and country since earning MLS Breakout Player of the Year in 2011. Last season, the 26-year-old recorded a career-high 15 assists, proving to be one of the top playmakers in the league.
So far this season, Zusi has scored three goals and assisted on five others in 14 games started, as well as starting four of the five matches this past month for the USMNT, assisting on Jozy Altidore’s opener against Jamaica.
Re-signing Zusi means Sporting KC has secured new contracts for their top two players, having re-signed U.S. Men’s National Team defender Matt Besler last winter.
Zusi has been with Sporting KC since he was drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, after a four year career with the University of Maryland.
The new contract does not mean a move abroad still can’t happen for Zusi, but now Sporting KC will be able to sell Zusi for a full transfer price if and when he does move overseas, while Zusi plays for a significantly higher salary.
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